Local MP Robert Largan has written to the Prime Minister, calling on the Government to take urgent action on food waste.

The letter is part of the #FoodOnPlates campaign, run by FareShare, the UK’s largest food redistribution charity. They are calling on the Government to commit to vital food waste funding ahead of next week’s Comprehensive Spending Review.

Signed by 53 MPs from both sides of the House of Commons, the letter calls for £5 million a year to offset the costs of redistributing food from farmers and businesses to charities.

Two million tonnes of fresh, unsold food is wasted in the UK every year.

In High Peak last year, FareShare redistributed the equivalent of 279,600 meals via 23 local organisations. This funding would enable them to nearly double the amount of food that they could provide to people across the UK, creating an additional 53 million meals for vulnerable families.

FareShare CEO Lindsay Boswell, said: 

“In 2019, the Government demonstrated a bold commitment to tackling food waste, with a successful trial that diverted millions of meals’ worth of great quality food from British farms to frontline charities providing care and support to vulnerable families.

“With just over a week until the Comprehensive Spending Review, we urge the Government to once again show leadership on this issue and commit to extending vital funding to get in-date, nutritious food onto people’s plates.”

Robert Largan, MP for High Peak, commented:

“Voluntary organisations in the High Peak have worked incredibly hard during the pandemic. It is vital that we get more food to them, to aid them in their work in our community.

“Good, healthy food should not be going to waste, particularly when it could be used to feed those in need. By sending this letter, we have got this important message to the heart of government.

“I hope that in the Spending Review next week, the Government commits to this funding and shows its serious about tackling food waste.”